This Saturday at Savannah’s Earth Day celebration in Forsyth Park, the forces behind the popular farmer’s market are bringing a new challenge to the event: a costume contest. And not just any old costume, but veggie costumes.

Yes, it’s wacky, and that’s the appeal.

“We thought it would be fun,” says Teri Schell, the market’s community development coordinator. The contest offers $500 in cash prizes. Organizers say they’ll decide how to divvy that up Saturday.

Yup, create your best carrot, collard or kale costume and you could win big.

You can even get help making your costume. The market is teaming with the West Broad Street YMCA for a costume-making workshop from 1:30-2 p.m. Judging will follow. The workshop will be run by Molly Lieberman, the creative and caring engine of Loop It Up, a community art program based at the Y. She advises bringing pillow cases or other items you can stuff to make puffy veggies, or take your chances with supplies on hand.

“I’m just going to clear out the fabric closet and bring it all there,” Lieberman says. “Hopefully people will come with ideas.”

Lieberman certainly has some.

“I think I’m gonna probably be an eggplant,” Lieberman says. “I really love eggplant. I love the color of eggplant, that deep purple. We’ll see. It might turn out to be broccoli. It depends on the day.”

Earth Day Schedule

Savannah claims its Earth Day celebration in

Earth Day schedule

Forsyth Park is the largest public Earth Day event in Georgia, with more than 100 exhibitors and activities from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. This year’s schedule includes:

RecycleRama

8-11 a.m. This drive-thru event takes place on Park Avenue with the line forming to the south on Drayton Street. Household items only will be accepted: